Otero man held in rape incident

A 54-year-old Otero County man is jailed at the Otero County Detention Center on a $50,000 no-10 percent bond for sexually assaulting a La Luz woman in her mid-40s Friday, Sheriff Benny House said.

House said Donald Benson is charged with one count of second-degree felony criminal sexual penetration.

House said Otero County Sheriff's Office deputies responded to a residence in La Luz in reference to a criminal sexual penetration that had just occurred Friday.

He said upon arrival, deputies made contact with the adult female victim who resides at the residence.

"Sheriff's Office learned through the investigation that Benson arrived at the residence then knocked on the door and requested something to drink from the victim," House said. "The victim had recognized Benson, who had been at the home before, then invited him in and obtained a glass of tea. While drinking the tea, Benson forced himself upon the victim resulting in criminal sexual penetration."

He said deputies transported the victim and she was examined by the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner who assisted law enforcement with the investigation. "Donald Benson was located by deputies at his home in Alamogordo," House said. "Due to the results of the investigation, Benson was placed under arrest for the charge of criminal sexual penetration."Contact Duane Barbati at dbarbati@alamogordonews.com